Punjab Excise Hikes Fancy Number Plate Prices by Tenfold

New Base Prices for Attractive Numbers

The Excise and Taxation Department in Punjab has decided to raise the prices of attractive vehicle registration numbers. And not just a little. We’re talking ten times more than before.

Single-Digit Plates (1, 786, etc.)

If you were planning to bid for “1” or “786,” get ready. The starting price is now Rs. 100,000 instead of Rs. 10,000. That’s a serious jump.

Double- and Triple-Digit Plates

Double-digit plates will now start at Rs. 50,000, up from Rs. 5,000. Triple-digit ones? They’ll begin at Rs. 25,000 instead of Rs. 2,500. Basically, every category has been pushed into a much higher bracket.

Extra Charges for 999 Series

On top of that, the “999” series comes with an additional Rs. 10,000 fee. So anyone chasing that number will have to pay a premium.

How the New System Will Work

The department isn’t just changing prices, it’s also tweaking how these plates are issued.

Issuing Numbers During Registration and Transfer

Attractive numbers will now be issued directly at the time of registration or when a vehicle changes ownership. No more random distribution later on.

Daily Release of Car and Motorcycle Series

To keep things moving, three car series and one motorcycle series will be released every day. Sounds tidy on paper, but whether the system runs smoothly in practice is another question.

Why the Big Price Jump?

Let’s be honest, fancy number plates have always been a status thing in Pakistan. Businessmen, politicians, and even regular folks who just want to stand out all chase them. The Excise Department probably knows demand isn’t going anywhere. That’s why they believe people will pay these new rates, no matter how steep they seem. It’s also a nice revenue boost for the government.

What Happens Next

The Director General of Excise has already sent the summary to the Punjab government. Once they give the green light, the new rates will come into effect. No date has been announced yet, but it’s expected soon.

Anyway, if you were hoping to grab a “special” plate on the cheap, that chance is gone. From now on, showing off a number like “786” on your car will burn a much bigger hole in your pocket.